Virginia bill to give driving rights to undocumented immigrants dies

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A bill that would give undocumented immigrants driving privileges in Virginia has died in committee.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Republicans on the state Senate Transportation Committee killed the legislation Wednesday on a party-line vote.

The vote marks the third year in a row that the bill by Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell of Fairfax failed to advance.

Surovell blamed politics. He said the bill is a tough sell for Republicans in the era of President Donald Trump and his anti-immigrant campaign rhetoric.

But Republican Sen. Amanda Chase of Chesterfield said many people in her district are concerned about illegal immigration. She said many would say: 'If you get a Virginia driver's license, you need to be here legally.'?

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.richmond.com

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